Chapter Seven

"You want us to do what?" Boost asked over the phone.

"I want you to get yourselves to Tokyo and into the promotional party for the World Grand Prix," Finn replied.

"Do you have any idea how hard that is?"

"It's not too hard. I've done it."

"Yeah, but you're, like, Finn McMissile, super-spy car."

"As flattered as I am that you think so highly of me, you really don't have much choice. Alexa will be there, and so will Montgomery and his agents."

"And the best racers in the world and damn near every cop in Japan."

"And a few lemons, which probably means a few dozen or a few hundred. Just go in with the rest of Team McQueen and Alex's group. The closer you are to the middle of the group, the more likely it is that you will escape notice. Oh, and I'd get going now. The team leaves at latest early tomorrow morning."

Boost glanced at his three friends, who nodded, and asked, "How're we gonna get there?"

"I'll arrange that. Wait there until you see Siddeley."

"Okay."

Finn hung up, and Boost turned to the other tuners. "We better go, or we'll be late for our flight," he said.

CARS

Lightning kissed Sally goodbye, and Lexie looked at Alex. His presence reassured her, and she rolled forward into the vanguard with her headlights on. Alex settled in next to her and exaggerated a yawn. "Who gets up at four in the morning?" he asked.

"Dude, you're going to the World Grand Prix, the biggest series, well, ever," Lexie replied. "Who wouldn't get up at four in the morning for something like that?"

"A sane person who'd rather be at home watching it on TiVo."

"You wanna TiVo the Grand Prix? Dude, something must be wrong with you. Did your engine donor crash at birth?"

"How the hell would I know?"

"Speaking of, did you ever get Mater to pop your hood?"

"Nope. Almost forgot about it, actually. Been busy with other things."

"Like the murder."

"Yeah. Professor called last night. He wants me to make sure you're okay, which is basically the same thing I've been doing ever since I met you. He said that some tuners and Finn and Holley would be looking out for you, too."

"He probably thinks pretty highly of me if he wants to keep me out of enemy tires."

"Who wouldn't?"

"Alrighty, who's ready for the Grand Prix?" Lightning asked. After a chorus of 'yes'es and Mater's usual cheer, Team McQueen drove off down Route Sixty-Six to the nearest airport, somewhere in Texas. In a blur, she found herself on a plane next to Alex and behind Lightning and Mater, flying into the sunrise.

Alex looked from the window to Lexie. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I guess so, considering," she replied.

"Be honest."

"You think I'd lie to you?"

"Yeah, pretty much. You've been giving the same answer to pretty much everybody. Tell me the truth."

"What truth is there to tell?"

"Why don't you answer that one?"

Lexie sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm scared," she whispered, turning away from him slightly. He rested a tire on hers.

"Everything's gonna be fine," he whispered.

CARS

Finn glanced at his readouts. "Siddeley's following us," he whispered to Holley.

"Are you sure about this?" she replied.

"If Alexa moves, a squad of protectors must move with her, at least until this Montgomery business is resolved."

"This isn't business, Finn. It's a matter of life and death. The murder in Radiator Springs proved that much. This is not just business."

Finn sighed. "I know." Holley recognized the tone at once. He'd used it in Big Bently, when Mater revealed that he really was just a tow truck and she had said that he wasn't joking. He understood the situation perfectly clearly, perhaps even better than she did. "Tread carefully," he whispered after a long moment. Holley nodded, her eyes scanning the plane's interior. She spotted Mater, Lightning, Alex, and Lexie on the other side of the aisle.

Then she looked over at Finn, who looked out the window, and she stared at the back of the seat in front of her.